Game 4 (sweep?) preview: The Bieksa aftermath, Schneider to start in goal for Canucks — and more

SAN JOSE — Predictably, the biggest topic at today’s morning skate was the Sharks’ reaction to Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa’s allegations that “so-called Canadians” Logan Couture and Joe Thornton were embellishing in order to draw penalties.

Couture and Thornton chose not to engage too deeply in that conversation, but Todd McLellan and Adam Burish had some well-chosen words that boiled down to pots calling kettles black — but a little more subtly than that.

The online story at http://www.mercurynews.com/sharks/ci_23190849/san-jose-sharks-fed-up-vancouver-canucks-whining captures much of that. Do check it out and we’ll revisit the topic momentarily.

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Meanwhile, there is that little matter of Game 4 and the possibility the Sharks could sweep a series for the first time in franchise history.

As far as the task at hand, the biggest news this morning was Canuck coach Alain Vigneault’s decision to go with Cory Schneider in net despite a problematic performance in the third period of Game 3. Roberto Luongo, who played well in Games 1 and 2, mopped up after Schneider left what would end up a 5-2 Vancouver loss, and press-box wisdom had Luongo back for this one.

“Cory in my opinion is our MVP and is one of the reasons why we got into the playoffs,” Vigneault said. “He’s had great bounce back games and has been outstanding. I think our group has total faith in both goaltenders, but they have a lot of faith in Cory and I have a lot of faith in him. That’s why we’re going with him tonight.”

Bieksa did not skate this morning, but Vigneault said he would be in the Game 4 lineup.

****Back to the Bieksa aftermath.

(You’ve read that online story, right? We don’t have to go over all that again here.)

Thornton stuck to a terse “We’ll play” response to the half dozen or so attempts to get him to talk about Bieksa’s remarks.

Couture went just a little further.

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“It really doesn’t matter what they have to say. All I’m focused on is playing Game 4 tonight,” he began.

Were the comments insulting?

“No, everyone has their own opinion. He said what he has to say.”

Was he surprised at being named?

“If they’re talking about me, I must be doing something right,” Couture said.

The media scrum also gathered around Dan Boyle at one point.

“I thought about this in case you guys were going to ask me and I’m just not to going to say anything,” Boyle said. “People can watch the games.”

Does he think it’s come to the point where playoff series involve games off the ice as well as on it?

“Some people get involved in games,” Boyle said. “Sometimes coaches say certain things to try to deflect attention or players say certain things to try and get under other people’s skin, but you try not to let that affect you.”

Nobody, including McLellan, thought that Bieksa’s remarks would have an impact on the officiating.

The online story included the best of Burish’s comments, but he didn’t stop there.

“We’re going to deal with how we can be better,” he said, “and not worry about the integrity of the game and having props in interviews and acting like a lawyer with video evidence and all that stuff.”

And Burish, who is from Wisconsin, also noted that Bieksa made a point of referring to Couture and Thornton as Canadians, or “so-called Canadians.”

“Just our Canadian guys — our American guys, we’ve got integrity,” he added. “Maybe it’s just a Canadian thing. I don’t know. It’s gamesmanship I guess.”

****Back to that little matter of Game 4. . .

McLellan said he didn’t want his team to be focused on the opportunity to avoid another trip to Vancouver if the series is extended.

“I don’t want us to think he like that. I’m sure there’s a little rumbling, but we want to be able to come out and play hard and compete for every inch of ice,” the coach said. “I’ve said it many times, let’s play and at the end of the night look up at the results that are there. That’s the way we’ll look at it.

“When you start talking about saving energy or travel,” McLellan concluded, “I don’t think you’re in the right frame of mind to compete.”

McLellan also talked about his decision NOT to bring up the 2011 series against Detroit, when a 3-0 series lead for the Sharks went to a seventh game, with his players.

“I would assume that’s been talked about in our locker room,” he said. “But that’s in the past, a different group of players. It’s not fair to Vancouver or San Jose to drag the past into it. You always want to, as a player or team, draw on past experiences. But I want them to share that with each other, not come directly from us.”

****In the Vancouver locker room, the emphasis was on staying more disciplined to get a better chance of getting back into the series.

“We’re talking about staying out of the box and playing this game 5-on-5 as much as we can and give ourselves a better chance to win,” captain Henrik Sedin said. “We’re giving them a lot of power plays. We’re giving their best players a chance to get confidence. It carries over 5-on-5 and their whole game has been better. That’s the main thing for us tonight.”

Someone asked Sedin if the Canucks were playing for pride.

“No, it’s about winning,” Sedin said. “It’s not like we’ve been outplayed badly and there’s no chance of us coming back.”

David Pollak

David Pollak has been following the NHL forever and at the Mercury News as an editor or reporter since 1987. For almost a decade he wrote about the Sharks as the paper's Fan in the Stands before joining the sports department in 2001. He became the Sharks beat writer before the 2007-08 season and began this blog at that time. You can also follow him on Twitter at @PollakOnSharks.

So happy for Nabby and the Islanders! The series is tied! Who would have thunk that the humble Islanders are giving the Mario Shero Machine of Perfection a serious run for the money! How true the saying is that the play offs are a whole new season. Love it!

Win the game, have some rest, let the other teams continue playing. That’s the plan.

Clemenza

2 thumbs up.

-Siskel & Ebert

Topcat

Burns giveth, and taketh away as he fails to clear the zone. Had plenty of time and no pressure. CLEAR THE ZONE.

Jimbo

GOOOO NUCKS !!!

Beer League Rocks

Way to go Pavs, making them pay for that cheap shot. Hope Stuart can come back. That would be a huge loss.

Sharks!!!

filthy Nuck!

Clemenza

Sharks are still embellishing head shots…

😉

Sharks!!!

Did you guy’s see that Roy hit on Stuey? They are so dirty

Topcat

That ought to be good for a ten game suspension or so. Only 2 MINUTES? EASY EASY 5 min penalty and game misconduct. I just don’t understand the refs, what so ever. And Bettman is in the house.

Beer League Rocks

What else do you except from this piece of sh~t team. The are dirty, and all the other teams hate them. Hope Luongo gets out of there this summer

SacTownSharksFan

Time to put another one in. Just like the Hornets have changed their name into the Pelicans, the Canucks should become The Vancouver Drama Queens.

Jimbo

# 73 filthy nuck LOL ….. GOOO NUCKS !!!!

hat_trick

Wow – sharks playing to lose with prevent defense for the full 3rd period!! TMac should have called a timeout 5 mins ago and tell the boys to start skating! This is going back to Vancouver if we don’t start skating…

hat_trick

Called it…

Jimbo

CANUCKS !!!!!!

hat_trick

Thanks Bieksa!

hat_trick

Now step on their throats!

Sharks!!!

Wooooooooo sharksssss
Tied up baby!!!!

Snow Shovel

Dang, I hate OT.

Beer League Rocks

Have plenty of beer for overtime, haven’t been on my game tonight

SacTownSharksFan

@Beer League Rocks: maybe you need to get it going. Label out and everything. I wonder if that’s why the Sharks haven’t been on their game. Just a theory. At this point, I will take anything.

Jimbo

Bring it back to big V boyssss

goduckies

fing love that Bieksa was in the sin bin for that goal! Fck him

goduckies

no, its my fault sac town, Sharks were up 2-1 until I started hitting on a girl that had a Fiance luckily she had left the bar…. doh;)

Beer League Rocks

I realized late in the 3rd period that I’d only had one. Drank most of one rather quick before the powerplay, and finished it after the goal. It seemed to help. I’m picking up the pace now:-)

Alex

Hate to say it but I have a nasty feeling this is going back to Vancouver.

Stevo

Oh ye of little faith

WOOO HOOOO!!!

Stevo

Mr. Invisible with the game winner/series sweep winner.

SacTownSharksFan

I heard Vancouver is a great place to get brooms tonight.

goduckies

woo hooooooo

Beer League Rocks

I got back on my game and look what happened. Jumbo actually shoots and Marleau puts in the rebound.

Alex

Terrific win and series. I hate Vancouver but that OT penalty wasn’t boarding.
Now let’s get some rest and prepare for whoever is next.